Now, more than ever, The Jethro Tull Board kicks ass!
Joined: Sept 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 3,695
Richard Thompson « Thread Started on May 16, 2010, 4:28pm »
You mean to tell me we've been in business for eight months, and now we have Blue back with us on a regular basis, and yet we have never had a Richard Thompson thread??? Well, we're going to fix that right now, because he's one of the most talented songwriters and guitarists alive!
Here's one I really like from his Mock Tudor album, entitled Cooksferry Queen. Best stanza in the song: "She gave me one pill to get bigger/another pill to get small/I saw snakes dancing all around her feet/dead men coming through the wall."
With legendary bass player Danny Thompson (no relation to Richard) on bass:
Joined: Sept 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 291 Location: The Long Good Land, PA
Re: Richard Thompson « Reply #2 on May 18, 2010, 11:34am »
Richard Thompson! OMG! Richard Thompson! I love seeing his acoustic act. You look up, there's him playing onstage. You close your eyes, there's three guitars being played. You open your eyes, nope, just Richard. How does he do that. "He flat picks and finger picks at the same time." "Thank you so very much for telling me that. I can see that! What I asked was how does he effin manage to make it sound like three guitar players!! I can flat pick and finger pick until my effin fingers drop off my effin hand and it still doesn't effin SOUND LIKE THAT!!!!" Richard Thompson! OMG! Richard Thompson! Sigh!
Oh, wow. Not only two Horslips threads but a Richard Thompson thread as well.
I think I am going to like it here.
Hi, Marianne, and welcome! Great to see some Horslips fans coming over here. They are a band I first heard around 1976 or 1977, and I immediately loved them. Nice bunch of guys too, from everything I've read. I'm just sorry that I missed their tour(s) of the U.S. in 1977 and/or 1978. It's a shame they broke up before I ever got a chance to see them live.
We have featured several folk rock bands here, particularly Steeleye Span. There are several extensive Steeleye threads here that I am sure you will like. We have also done some Fairport threads, but frankly we need to do a whole lot more on Fairport, and that is something that is on my agenda.
There are, however, several excellent threads on Sandy Denny, one of the greatest folk rock singers of all time. I put up a lot of her material and background information, which you should be able to find easily enough, but I wish you had broadband so you could actually see the videos!
Richard Thompson is an artist that I was surprised that we had not featured sooner, but we are now going to do an extensive thread on him, with a lot of material. Again, I have a lot of his records and am familiar with much -- but hardly all -- of his material, so maybe you can help me out with that as we go.
Another great Celtic folk rock band is Tempest, and we have just started to take a look at them here. I am quite sure you will like them too.
Anyway, make yourself at home! I know you are not just simply going to like this place, but I feel you are going to love it here. Our goal here is to have fun, and I think you will find a lot of very funny things as you go through the threads.
Richard Thompson! OMG! Richard Thompson! I love seeing his acoustic act. You look up, there's him playing onstage. You close your eyes, there's three guitars being played. You open your eyes, nope, just Richard. How does he do that. "He flat picks and finger picks at the same time." "Thank you so very much for telling me that. I can see that! What I asked was how does he effin manage to make it sound like three guitar players!! I can flat pick and finger pick until my effin fingers drop off my effin hand and it still doesn't effin SOUND LIKE THAT!!!!" Richard Thompson! OMG! Richard Thompson! Sigh!
I have seen him 5 or 6 times, and have been blown away each time. The best one I saw was at The Bottom Line in the early nineties, I believe. It was an all-request night, completely sold out, and he collected requests from the audience which he placed in a hat or jar. He then withdrew the slips, one by one, and played each and every one, including some fairly obscure or lesser known stuff. Now that's the type of show I wish Ian and/or Tull would do!
Re: Richard Thompson « Reply #6 on May 20, 2010, 5:40am »
Richard Thompson is one of those "drop everything and sell your grandmother to get to" gigs. Very sad I never saw him live but there is still time... if he ever comes to Ireland, I'm there.
Re: Richard Thompson « Reply #8 on May 20, 2010, 12:34pm »
Agreed!
I sang "Galway to Graceland" at a session not too long ago (I live near a famous pub & music venue called McGrory's of Culdaff, they have trad sessions, "Americana" sessions, jams and gigs from host of stars - Arlo Guthrie is back this year, his third visit). It's a great pub to have as your local!
Anyway, someone at the session told me that RT wrote the song originally for Dolores Keane, but that her brother Sean decided to record it - I first heard that song sung by Sean.
I love much of the material he produced and performed with Linda Thompson.
Zephyr One of the Youngest of the Family member is offline
Joined: Nov 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 77 Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Richard Thompson « Reply #9 on May 20, 2010, 3:15pm »
I don't really know much of anything about this fellow yet (mostly as a name in passing), but I happened to stumble upon this bit of information by accident:
Richard Thompson! Rhino In-store appearance Where: 1740 Westwood Blvd. Los Angeles 90024 When: 21 May from 20:00 to 23:00
From what everyone is saying, I should get my butt there?
(My only concern is getting back home at 11pm on my own. It would be a close challenge to hit the buses just right. *whispers* I don't drive...)
I don't really know much of anything about this fellow yet (mostly as a name in passing), but I happened to stumble upon this bit of information by accident:
Richard Thompson! Rhino In-store appearance Where: 1740 Westwood Blvd. Los Angeles 90024 When: 21 May from 20:00 to 23:00
From what everyone is saying, I should get my butt there?
(My only concern is getting back home at 11pm on my own. It would be a close challenge to hit the buses just right. *whispers* I don't drive...)
Trust us, Wendy, the guy is a guitar god, plus he's a great singer with witty and intelligent lyrics, and very good with the audience. You will get some laughs and hear some great music! Sample the Cooksferry Queen video I posted, and I soon will be posting a whole lot more of his songs.
Joined: Sept 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 291 Location: The Long Good Land, PA
Re: Richard Thompson « Reply #11 on May 20, 2010, 6:35pm »
And he's not just an incredibly talented musician. Even more than that, he's an absolute Darling, warm, charming and gentle. Bustle yer Butt. He's well worth it.
"It really doesn't take all kinds but you get them anyway." Charlie Gardner
Ulla One of the Youngest of the Family member is offline
Joined: Sept 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 99
Re: Richard Thompson « Reply #12 on May 21, 2010, 3:23am »
Richard Thompson is GOD!!!
I donīt know how many times I saw him and I canīt say which gig was the best, because every single gig I saw had me in tears of happiness. Last year he played a solo concert at Cropredy on Friday, 20.000 people on the field and while he was playing a song you could hear a needle drop. And after every song all this people burst in a roar. It was amazing.
Some years ago he played in Warwick/UK on a Saturday and I made a weekend trip to England to see him. Lovely Peggy organised backstage passes for Clive and me. Wednesday morning before that day I was at school when all of a sudden I had horrible pains. A collegue took me to a hospital and the doctors said: "It is a biliary colic. You will be under the knife in 30 minutes." I screamed: "NOOOOOO! Give me some pills or what. I HAVE TO be in England next weekend." So they let me go home on my own responsibility. I had some horrible hours, took far too much pills and was sick for 2 days. But I made it to the gig and after the show we met GOD and he kissed me on my right cheek. Clive said to Richard: "Oh donīt do that. She will not wash her face for the rest of her life." (Did I tell you before that I really donīt like Mr. Clive.B?)
Re: Richard Thompson « Reply #13 on May 21, 2010, 7:19am »
Yes get over there! Tell him everything we said above and also add from me that he has the sexiest voice in folk/rock/folkrock/takeyerpick.
By odd coincidence last night I was in McGrory's for the Thursday "Shindig" session and Egon, a Dutchman who lives locally, did a spot. And to my amazement and delight he did an excellent version of "1952 Vincent Black Lightning".
RT is a master song smith. I adore is Galway to Gracelands, Bees Wing & Vincent Black Lightning to name a few.
My MGB GT - Richard Thompson
Oh I've got a little car and she might go far She's the mistress of my heart now She's a '65 with an overdrive And I fixed her in every part now Two in the front and two in the back 110 on the old Hog's Back My MGB-GT, she's a runner now MGB-GT Oh my MGB-GT, she's a runner now
Oh I welded the sills and the old floor pan Cut the rust with the torch and the hacksaw Took the Rostyles off, put the spoked wheels on Got a brand new Salisbury axle When I come to town the girls all smile They say "Here's the man with the retro style" My MGB-GT, she's a runner now MGB-GT Oh my MGB-GT, she's a runner now
Lockheed discs and twin SUs Original chrome on the grille now She looks like a dream in her racing green Competition's standing still now I sprayed up her body, I strenghtened the frame I stripped her right down and I built her up again
Now an Alpine's fine if you've got the time And a Healey'll set you back some And a TR4 costs a little bit more But it don't have the same attraction Hard top handy, in case of the weather I don't care if it rains forever In my MGB-GT, she's a runner now MGB-GT In my MGB-GT, she's a runner now MGB-GT In my MGB-GT, she's a runner now
So true, and only the year and colour are different for me.
If anyone comes across a video, I'd be intrested to see it.
"The do-er and the thinker, no allowance for the other, as the failing light illuminates the mercenaries creed." Boxes come and boxes go, you need the cash or be in the know.
I donīt know how many times I saw him and I canīt say which gig was the best, because every single gig I saw had me in tears of happiness. Last year he played a solo concert at Cropredy on Friday, 20.000 people on the field and while he was playing a song you could hear a needle drop. And after every song all this people burst in a roar. It was amazing.
Some years ago he played in Warwick/UK on a Saturday and I made a weekend trip to England to see him. Lovely Peggy organised backstage passes for Clive and me. Wednesday morning before that day I was at school when all of a sudden I had horrible pains. A collegue took me to a hospital and the doctors said: "It is a biliary colic. You will be under the knife in 30 minutes." I screamed: "NOOOOOO! Give me some pills or what. I HAVE TO be in England next weekend." So they let me go home on my own responsibility. I had some horrible hours, took far too much pills and was sick for 2 days. But I made it to the gig and after the show we met GOD and he kissed me on my right cheek. Clive said to Richard: "Oh donīt do that. She will not wash her face for the rest of her life." (Did I tell you before that I really donīt like Mr. Clive.B?)
Thanks for yet another great story, Ulla! And I agree 100% about Richard Thompson. The guy is amazing. We're going to be extending this thread with more videos, so stay tuned for that!
Now, more than ever, The Jethro Tull Board kicks ass!
Joined: Sept 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 3,695
Re: Richard Thompson « Reply #16 on May 21, 2010, 10:35am »
Here are two more of Richard's songs from the Mock Tudor album. I think that one, and of course Rumour & Sigh, are probably the best ones to start with if you're not familiar with his music.
First, here's a slower piece, Uninhabited Man. I love this one:
Next is Hard on Me, featuring some blistering guitar solos:
"There is only one real sin and that is to persuade oneself that the second best is anything but second best."Doris Lessing
"If you agree with me on nine out of twelve issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on twelve out of twelve issues, see a psychiatrist."Ed Koch
Morthoron Potent Glockenspielist member is offline
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Re: Richard Thompson « Reply #17 on Jun 12, 2010, 9:53pm »
I'm liking this forum more and more. You folks have great taste -- perhaps because it harmonizes so well with mine!
In any case, my favorite Richard Thompson efforts would be 1) the incomparable folk-rock album Liege and Lief with Fairport Convention, and 2) Small Town Romance, a solo live effort from 1984. As a guitarist, it is astounding and awe-inspiring to try to follow his subtle nuances: sweep-picking arpeggios, string skipping and hybrid picking. I still can't quite get 'Time to Ring Some Changes' down pat, and I haven't even tried to tackle his version of 'Roll Over Vaughn Williams'. Neat version of 'Honky Tonk Blues' on that album as well.
One of the best acoustic guitarists on the planet.
And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George, who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision...
Re: Richard Thompson « Reply #18 on Jun 13, 2010, 3:57pm »
I'm new here having been invited to have a look from elsewhere - and how can I resist a RT thread! Some comments from me, though, about what i think are some intriguing parallels between RT and IA.
First, let me say that I've been following RT since Henry the Human Fly and, dare I say it, stuck with him when I deserted Tull following Passion Play! I've seen him a good number of times and I'm intrigued to see from the postings so far that my feelings from concerts are mirrored here. That is, I love him most for the electric stuff - Shoot Out the Lights/Hand of Kindness are the pinnacle for me. So I'm always interested when I come away from concerts with my ears ringing to hear some people focusing more on the acoustic songs - all the ones mentioned above. I like them, but they don't move me the same way as the electric stuff. So here's one contrast - in Tull the acoustic and electric are generally integrated and within songs the dynamism often comes from the contrast. I suspect Tull fans like the whole lot but there may be more of a division within the ranks of RT fans - discuss?
There's also some intriguing parallels that I think owe a good deal to a shared Scottish background. Thompson is born in London, but his father was Scottish and that has a big influence in his playing. My friend who knows about such things says that his fingering often owes much to traditional Scottish tunes. This is a Lowland, Presbyterian background and that's partly Ian Anderson's as well. I think the common factor here is the stark realism in many of the lyrics. To give one example. Both write songs about the perils facing the young. Thompson's outlook is particularly bleak on 'The End of the rainbow':
Life seems so rosy in the cradle, But I'll be a friend I'll tell you what's in store There's nothing at the end of the rainbow. There's nothing to grow up for anymore
Ian Anderson also tackles this subject in several songs, most notably No Lullaby.
Keep your eyes open and prick up your ears rehearse your loudest cry. There's folk out there who would do you harm so I'll sing you no lullaby. There's a lock on the window; there's a chain on the door: a big dog in the hall. But there's dragons and beasties out there in the night to snatch you if you fall.
But there is an answer for him: education and thinking for yourself. With his consistent distrust for fashion and consumerism of all sorts, the faith is in the traditional Presbyterian one of thinking for oneself - which often comes across as grumpy cynicism!
An interest in religion, and in the dangers of fundamentalism, is also a common theme. Thompson is a Muslim, but abhors the narrowness of thought associated with all forms of fundamentalism, from whichever tradition. In the remarkable Outside of the Inside on Old Kit Bag (A real return to form by the way and the best of his recent output) he sings about those who decry forms of culture which they don't like
Im familiar with the cover I dont need to read the book I police the world of action Insides where I never look Got no time to help the worthless Lotus-eaters, Mandarins, crooks
There seems to be a parallel here with Roots to Branches
In wet and windy priest-holes. Grand in vast cathedrals. High on lofty minarets or in the temples of doom. I hope the old man's got his face on. He'd better be some quick change artist. Suffer little children to make their minds up soon.
Of course, we know all about Anderson's concerns with organized religion, but it seems to me again there's that strain of making your own mind up and resisting the blandishments of those who would seek to persuade you that there's is the way.
Well, that turned out a little long for a first posting! You may think I'm making more of this than it deserves, but IA and RT are the two artists I admire most in rock music and I'd be intrigued if anybody else thinks there are parallels.
Now, more than ever, The Jethro Tull Board kicks ass!
Joined: Sept 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 3,695
Re: Richard Thompson « Reply #19 on Jun 14, 2010, 9:18pm »
Great first post, earsoftin, thank you for taking the time to set it out like that, and welcome again to The Jethro Tull Board.
You raise some very interesting and valid points, and another similarity is that both RT and IA write a lot of songs about the gut-wrenching pain of rejection and unrequited love, from the male perspective.
One way in which they are different, I think, is in their personality. IA, despite his greatness as an artist, musician and lyricist, can sometimes be quite moody and a real dick. That is not true of RT. He is funny, warm and just a hell of a nice guy. For instance, he's not the type to berate members of the audience for one reason or another, as Ian has sometimes been known to do.
I remember a quote by RT when asked if he would ever consider working with Ian. After expressing great praise and admiration for Ian's music, RT responded that he would like to but it would probably not happen because he had heard that that nobody ever works with Ian, they work for him.
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